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Solar installer vs photovoltaic technician

The differences between solar installers and photovoltaic technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a solar installer and a photovoltaic technician. Additionally, a photovoltaic technician has an average salary of $39,118, which is higher than the $37,239 average annual salary of a solar installer.

The top three skills for a solar installer include renewable energy, ladders and hand tools. The most important skills for a photovoltaic technician are safety standards, , and .

Solar installer vs photovoltaic technician overview

Solar InstallerPhotovoltaic Technician
Yearly salary$37,239$39,118
Hourly rate$17.90$18.81
Growth rate27%27%
Number of jobs17,36724,039
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Average age2929
Years of experience1212

Solar installer vs photovoltaic technician salary

Solar installers and photovoltaic technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Solar InstallerPhotovoltaic Technician
Average salary$37,239$39,118
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $47,000Between $27,000 And $55,000
Highest paying CitySpringfield, MA-
Highest paying stateAlaska-
Best paying companyBlack & Veatch-
Best paying industryTechnology-

Differences between solar installer and photovoltaic technician education

There are a few differences between a solar installer and a photovoltaic technician in terms of educational background:

Solar InstallerPhotovoltaic Technician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Most common majorElectrical Engineering TechnologyMechanical Engineering
Most common college--

Solar installer vs photovoltaic technician demographics

Here are the differences between solar installers' and photovoltaic technicians' demographics:

Solar InstallerPhotovoltaic Technician
Average age2929
Gender ratioMale, 94.5% Female, 5.5%Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 15.8% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 36.3% Asian, 5.8% White, 35.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 15.8% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 36.3% Asian, 5.8% White, 35.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between solar installer and photovoltaic technician duties and responsibilities

Solar installer example responsibilities.

  • Attain skills to do sheeting, lay shingles, mounting and setting solar panels.
  • Manage telecommunications, data and CCTV equipment.
  • Do all electrical from ac to DC.
  • Ensure the safe installation of ladders on single and multilevel homes in accordance with OSHA regulations.
  • Install framing, wiring (including wire management) and PV modules for the commercial system.
  • Maintain OSHA regulations while on roofs, and on the ground, preventing injury, while ensuring timely system installation.
  • Show more

Photovoltaic technician example responsibilities.

  • Compose written reports of data collect from patient evaluation and present to department chief for thorough analysis of patient diagnosis.
  • Travele to supply vendors to ensure proper manufacturing & testing of PCB (print circuit board) assemblies.

Solar installer vs photovoltaic technician skills

Common solar installer skills
  • Renewable Energy, 18%
  • Ladders, 13%
  • Hand Tools, 9%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Roofing, 7%
  • Safety Hazards, 6%
Common photovoltaic technician skills
  • Safety Standards, 100%

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